All posts by Mel

I have always loved seeing the Swamp Rose-Mallow wildflowers by the beaches in Connecticut and on Cape Cod. We called them “Marshmallows” when we were growing up, even though they come in pink or white. The were abundant around the ponds by the beach.

I saw this Swamp Rose-Mallow growing in the crevice of this rock at Fort Hill. I thought it was so pretty. The flowers are large, 4-7″ and grow near salt marshes and beaches.

I loved the coloring with the soft blues and light pink. What do you think?

It was such a treat to see this black Spicebush Swallowtail butterfly feeding on the Zinnias in my yard here on Cape Cod. It is such a pretty butterfly.

The Spicebush Swallowtail is a very large butterfly measuring 3 1/2″ to 4 1/2.” Its overall color is black with white and blue spots on its wings. It loves to sip nectar from a variety of flowers and frequents woodlands, meadows and gardens.

We were on our way to the gym a few days ago when we saw this awesome sunrise to the east. So, the next morning we left a bit earlier and got to Fort Hill, on the National Seashore, just as the sun started to rise. It was just spectacular as you can see the sun over Nauset Marsh with the Atlantic Ocean in the background. The sun was so huge!

Usually the Cabbage White butterflies spend most of their time flitting from flower to flower. It is very difficult to get a photograph of them as they don’t stay in one place long enough.

We were at the Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary looking to photograph Monarch butterflies when I saw this Cabbage White on a yellow flower. I got my camera out and clicked away. He never moved. That wildflower must have been delicious!

I got so many great photographs, but this one is my favorite! What do you think?

The baby Terrapin turtles are hatching along the beaches and trails at the Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary. You can see the nests which have been marked in the photograph below with a cage to keep predators out. The blue tape lets the staff know that the incubation period is right around that time.

Staff at the sanctuary make 2 trips a day out to all of the nests to see if there are any hatchlings. The baby Terrapins cannot survive by themselves in the first hours of their life due to many factors which include ants, maggots and dehydration from the sun.

After they have absorbed their yolk and regained their energy back at the sanctuary, they are then set free out by their nest. They do not need to eat for quite a while. They never seen their mothers again and will spend most of their life in the water.

The story of the Terrapin turtle is quite fascinating and so interesting to learn about!

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Mel Tulin – Cape Cod Photographer

I have always been an outdoor enthusiast. Living in Connecticut for most of my life, I love to hike, bike, ski, snowshoe, ocean kayak and photograph nature.

With our house in Cape Cod only a few yards away from the beaches, it is just incredible. The views are spectacular, the hiking is amazing, the biking is great and the sunrises and sunsets are photographic. There is always something to do and something new to see.

I would like to share my Cape Cod Blog with you and my love of the great outdoors: birds, wildlife, hiking, beaches, butterflies, wildflowers, photography and outdoor adventure. Please feel free to comment on any of the stories. It would be fun to hear from any or all of you reading my stories.